Calculation
The 2014 National Curriculum changes, and the introduction of a national arithmetic paper from 2016, necessitated a review of calculation policies and procedures. Following collaboration with Liz Hopkins (author at Buzzard Publishing) here we provide several documents that should help primary and secondary schools in this process.
- Progression in Addition and Subtraction
- Progression in Multiplication and Division
- Calculation Overview
Times Tables
A collection of resources to improve pupils’ recall of the multiplication and division facts up to 12 × 12 and become a Medi (‘Maths Jedi’!) at knowing their times tables.
Posters
Practice
Problem solving and reasoning resources
These Tarsia activities support problem solving and reasoning. Note that you will need to install Tarsia software to access the contents of these zip files:
- Set 1: Basic. Pupils cut out the pieces and solve the puzzle using multiplication and division facts. Some puzzles may include a missing answer indicated by a question mark. If this is the case, pupils need to solve the puzzle to find the missing value.
- Set 2: Maths Detective. These puzzles contain mistakes. Print out the solution page and ask pupils to find all the mistakes. Some puzzles may include a missing answer indicated by a question mark. If this is the case, pupils need to solve the puzzle to find the missing value.
- Set 3: Connect. Pupils cut out the pieces and solve the puzzle using related multiplication and division facts. Some puzzles may include a missing answer indicated by a question mark. If this is the case, pupils need to solve the puzzle to find the missing value.
- Pattern sniffing (5× table). Print off the coded times tables in strips and ask the pupils to work out the times table that has been coded. The 5× table is the easy place to start. 9× table (medium) and 3× table (hard) versions are also available. Other times tables can be created using the ‘Wingdings’ font.
Fluency resources
These tasks support procedural fluency. Pupils complete the tasks using multiplication and/or division facts. When they can complete the tasks correctly, pupils can then be timed. Pupils aim to beat their Personal Best (PB) over time. Many thanks to the Maths Teams at Montgomery, Percy Shurmer and Anglesey AET Academies for developing and sharing the contents of these zip files.
Stick on the Maths
A ‘Stick on the Maths’ activity comprises a 3 by 3 grid with nine questions, statements or scenarios. Alongside this there are nine cards that can be placed on to the grid to provide a solution or fact that matches the question (statement or scenario).
We have found that pupils really engage with these activities when they are both provided on paper for them to move the cards around, while also displayed on screen at the front of the classroom. ‘Enabling content’ will allow you to view the activity ‘full screen’, and move the cards by clicking and dragging the border of the box.
You can also choose to hide the ‘solution’ cards for an alternative way of using the resource. Most of the activities can be used without the cards by challenging pupils to produce their own set of solutions. These can be could be shared with a partner, or written on post-it notes and placed on the projected image (hence, ‘Stick on the Maths’).
And yes, we know … they are still named and listed by old NC Levels. This is a job we haven’t quite found time for yet, but at some point we will rename everything. In the meantime, this is no reason not to use them! Once you’ve heard the reasoning that these problem-solving activities generate we are sure you will agree!
CALC1: Understanding addition
CALC2: Understanding subtraction
CALC3: Adding and subtracting to 10
CALC4: Addition facts
CALC5: Solving problems
CALC6: Recording work
HD1: Sorting and classifying
HD2: Representing work
NNS1: Counting up to 10
NNS2: Reading and writing numbers to 10
NNS3: Ordering numbers to 10
NNS4: One half
SSM1: Everyday language: properties of shapes
SSM2: Everyday language: positions of shapes
SSM3: Measuring and ordering
SSM4: Ordering events
ALG1: Odd and even
CALC1: Addition and subtraction I
CALC1: Addition and subtraction II
CALC3: Solving problems
CALC4: Recording work
CALC5: Addition and subtraction III
HD1: Sorting and classifying
HD2: Vocabulary
HD3: Collecting data
HD4: Recording results
HD5: Communicating findings
NNS1: Counting
NNS2: Place value to 100
NNS3: Halves and quarters
SSM1: Names of shapes
SSM2: Properties of shapes
SSM3: Position of objects
SSM4: Angle measure
SSM5: Measures I.doc
SSM6: Measures II
ALG1: Sequences
ALG2: Symbols
CALC1: Multiplication and division I
CALC2: Addition and subtraction I
CALC3: Addition and subtraction II
CALC4: Multiplication and division II
CALC5: Addition and subtraction III
CALC6: Number problems
HD1: Gathering information
HD2: Bar charts and pictograms
HD3: Venn and Carroll diagrams
HD4: Interpreting information
NNS1: Place value
NNS2: Approximating
NNS3: Negative numbers
NNS4: Fractions
NNS5: Decimal notation
SSM1: Classifying shapes
SSM2: Nets of 3D shapes
SSM3: Orientation and reflection of shapes
SSM4: Position and movement
SSM5: Measures
SSM6: Time
ALG1: Simple formulae in words
ALG2: Coordinates in the first quadrant
CALC1: Mental methods
CALC2: Multiplication facts
CALC3: Written methods
CALC4: Multiplying a decimal
CALC5: Solving problems
CALC6: Checking results
HD1: Discrete data.doc
HD2: Grouping data
HD3: Venn and Carroll diagrams
HD4: Frequency diagrams and line graphs
HD5: Mode and range
NNS1: Number patterns
NNS2: Number relationships
NNS3: Place value
NNS4: Proportions of a whole
NNS5: Ordering decimals
NNS6: Simple ratio
SSM1: Properties of shapes
SSM2: Making models and drawing shapes
SSM3: Simple transformations
SSM4: Choosing units and instruments
SSM5: Interpreting measurements
SSM6: Area and perimeter
ALG1: Simple formulae
ALG2: Coordinates in four quadrants
CALC1: Known facts, place value and order of operations
CALC2: Use of a calculator
CALC3: Multiplying and dividing
CALC4: Negative numbers
CALC5: Ratio and proportion
CALC6: Checking solutions
HD1: Collecting data
HD2: Probability
HD3: The probability scale
HD4: Averages
HD5: Experiments
HD6: Graphs and diagrams
HD7: Line graphs
NNS1: Place value
NNS2: Decimals and negative numbers
NNS3: Number patterns and relationships
NNS4: Equivalence between fractions
NNS5: Simplifying fractions
NNS6: Ratio
SSM1: Properties of shapes
SSM2: Angles
SSM3: Transforming shapes
SSM4: Measuring and drawing angles
SSM5: Interpreting scales
SSM6: Units
SSM7: Area and perimeter